
THE STUDENTS OF 
NORTH AMERICA 

UNITED r>^<J!f>r;> 

rBy JOHN R. MOTT 





Book , /v | X-^ 
Gopightl" 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



THE STUDENTS OF NORTH 
AMERICA UNITED 



THE STUDENTS OF 

NORTH AMERICA 

UNITED 



/ 

By JOHN R. MOTT, M. A, 



NEW YORK 

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE 

OF YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS 

I90J 






THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 


Two Copies 


Received 


FEB 5 


1903 


^ eopyiight 


Entry 


CliASS Ct 


XXc. No. 


^0 P (b 

COPY B. 



Copyright, 1903, 

BY 

The International Committee of 
Young Men's Christian Associations 



CONTENTS 



PAGK 

The Origin and Growth of the Movement .... 7 

Achievements of the Movement 14 

Possibilities of the Movement 47 



i 



THE STUDENTS OF NORTH 
AMERICA UNITED 

JOHN R. MOTT 



THE ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF THE MOVEMENT 

It is still a disputed question where the first ^^^^y 

Student 

Student Young Men's Christian Association Hssodations 
was formed. It is certain, however, that the 
first two were organized in the University of 
Michigan and in the University of Virginia, in 
the j^ear 1858. During the next twenty years 
about a score of Associations were established 
in the colleges and universities of the United 
States and Canada. While some of these 
sprang up apparently spontaneously the ma- 
jority were organized as the result of the 
pioneer work of Mr. Robert Weidensall, the 
senior secretary of the International Commit- 
tee. These early Associations were not bound 
together in a common movement; in fact, few 
of them knew even of the existence of the 



Students of North Hmcrica 

others. They had narrow and widely varying 
purposes and methods of work. 
BegiTOitngof Qn the sixth day of June, 1877, twenty-five 

Xiiter- ... 

collegiate delegates, representing twenty-one colleges in 
jyiovement ^i^ygj^ states, met at the International Conven- 
tion of Young Men's Christian Associations, 
held in Louisville, Kentucky, to discuss the 
practicability of forming a Christian intercol- 
legiate movement. These men came together 
in response to a letter sent out by the Associa- 
tion at Princeton. The original suggestion 
came from a conversation of Mr. William E. 
Dodge, then a member of the International 
Committee, with three Princeton students, his 
sons, Mr. Earl Dodge and Mr. Cleveland H. 
Dodge, and Mr. Luther D. Wishard. These 
students were assured by Mr. Dodge that dele- 
gates from the colleges would be welcomed at 
the Louisville Convention. As a result of the 
discussion by the students who met at Louis- 
ville, and of their presentation to the conven- 
tion of the needs and possibilities of the student 
field of North America, it was decided that the 
International Committee should undertake an 
organized work on behalf of students. Mr. 
Wishard was appointed as the first student 
secretary and began at once the extension and 
development of the Movement. He continued 

8 



Origin and Growth of the JMovemcnt 



to guide its development until 1888, when he 
started on his long journey through Asia to 
extend the Association work to foreign mission 
lands. 

The extension of the Movement, now known 
as the American and Canadian Student Young 
Men's Christian Association Movement, among 
the institutions of the United States and 
Canada has been remarkable. The following 
table^ indicates how rapid this progress has 
been : — 



Growth in 
Membership 



1877 


26 


Associations, 


1,300 


members 


1882 


174 


(( 


8,665 




1887 


284 


(t 


14,193 




1892 


425 


cc 


27,334 




1897 


523 


(( 


29,070 




1902 


681 


(( 


41,800 





The Movement now includes nearly every 
leading college and university in North 
America and is more extensive than any other 
intercollegiate organization, whether athletic, 
literary, fraternal, political, or religious. It is 
the largest and oldest Christian student move- 
ment of the world, although its field embraces 
two of the youngest nations. It is a striking 
fact that the tie of associated Christian effort 



* This table includes conservative estimates for Associa- 
tions in existence but not reporting their membership. 



Students of JVortb Hmerica 

has united more students in a common or- 
ganization than has any other bond. 
extent and The Movement includes in its field all uni- 

Cbaracter of 

field versities and university colleges, theological 
seminaries or colleges, law colleges or schools, 
medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and yeterinary 
colleges, institutes of technology and engineer- 
ing colleges, military and naval academies, nor- 
mal schools, agricultural colleges, and prepara- 
tory schools, academies, and high schools — in 
a word, all American and Canadian institutions 
of higher learning which have in them young 
men. The Association work has shown itself 
adapted to both denominational and undenomi- 
national institutions of higher learning; 
whether located in city, town, or country; 
whether preparatory, collegiate, graduate, or 
professional in character. Exclusive of institu- 
tions of secondary grade, the field of the Move- 
ment, both organized and unorganized, em- 
braces some 1,200 student centers and nearly, 
if not quite, 200,000 men students. 
purposes of fhe immediate object of the Movement is 

the -^ 

jMovement to organize and to develop strong Young 
Men's Christian Associations in all North 
American institutions of higher learning in 
which there are young men. This purpose, 
however, is regarded as but a means to the fol- 
io 



Ongtn and 6rowtb of the jMovernctit 



lowing ends : to lead students to become in- 
telligent and loyal disciples of Jesus Christ as 
their Saviour and Lord; to help them in the 
battle with the many and subtle temptations 
of student life; to build up strong Christian 
faith and symmetrical Christian character; to 
train students in individual and associated 
Christian work in order that they may be most 
useful in the Church; to place upon them a 
burden of responsibility for the extension and 
upbuilding of the Kingdom of Christ through- 
out the world, and to influence them to place 
their lives where they can best serve their gen- 
eration. 

The International Committee and the various 
state and provincial committees of Young 
Men's Christian Associations have general 
supervision of the Association work among 
students throughout the United States and 
Canada. Nearly all of these committees have 
sub-committees, or departments of student 
work, which give more immediate attention to 
the student Associations. In cultivating the 
field these committees employ three principal 
agencies. 

In some respects the most helpful influence 
of the supervisory committees is that which 
they exert through their student secretaries. 



Superviaory 
Comtwrtcw 



Qecrttaries 



II 



Students of North Hinertca 

The number of these workers has increased 
greatly in recent years. Fifteen years ago 
there were on^ly two student secretaries of the 
International Committee; now there are ten. 
Then there was not a single state or provincial 
secretary who made a specialty of student 
work; now there are fourteen, not to men- 
tion trained undergraduate deputation men. 
Then there were but two general secretaries ; 
now there are nearly sixty, including eight 
in metropolitan student centers. 
Cratntng Training conferences constitute another val- 

Conferences 

uable agency in promoting the development of 
the student Associations. They are of three 
classes, each having its special object. In the 
first place, conferences of international, state, 
and provincial student secretaries and visiting 
deputation men are held from time to time. 
These are designed to help equip the secre- 
taries of the various supervisory committees 
for their responsible task of extending and 
developing the Movement. Secondly, there 
are annual presidential conferences which 
meet in different sections, states, and provinces. 
They are intended to train newly elected presi- 
dents for their work as leaders of the Associa- 
tion forces in their respective institutions. 
Thirdly, there are the various summer con- 

12 



Ongiii and 6rowtb of the Movctnctit 

ferences. At these gatherings, which are also 
annual and which continue in session ten days, 
students are trained for the leadership of Bi- 
ble classes, mission study classes, volunteer 
bands, and other departments of Association 
work. 

In a Movement the territory of which covers uterature 
a continent reaching nearly four thousand 
miles from sea to sea and the constituency of 
which is constantly changing, it is necessary 
to make large use of the printed page. The 
Inter collegian J the official organ of the Asso- 
ciations, helps greatly to unify and guide the 
Christian activities of this vast student field. 
The pamphlet and book literature of the 
Movement has become quite extensive. Fif- 
teen years ago there were but three pamphlets 
bearing on the work of the Associations ; now, 
if the publications of the Volunteer Movement 
be included, there are eighty-seven pamphlets 
and books. 



13 



II 



ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MOVEMENT 



Cultfvatton 

of the 
mgber J^tf e 



The Association has become the principal 
factor in the cultivation of the moral and re- 
ligious life of the institutions of higher learn- 
ing. This is especially true in the case of 
state and other undenominational universities 
and colleges, a class of institutions which are 
increasing in number of students, in wealth, 
and in influence. In these institutions, the As- 
sociation as an agency of the Church has ren- 
dered largely the service which the Church 
renders to the general community, but which 
the Church alone could not perform for these 
centers of learning because of their undenomi- 
national character. While full credit is given 
to the valuable work accomplished by different 
denominations on behalf of students of their 
own affiliation in connection with some of 
these undenominational colleges and universi- 
ties, it is generally recognized that the Associa- 
tions managed by the students themselves have 
constituted the chief influence for the promo- 
tion of the Kingdom of Christ in the lives of 
the students. The testimony of college presi- 
dents is that the Association has been of great 

14 



Hcbicvcirieiits of the jMoveineiit 



value, even in the distinctively denominational 
colleges, in bringing students and instructors 
into harmonious fellowship, in promoting the 
religious life of the colleges, in placing on As- 
sociation members a burden of responsibility 
to help their fellow students and the com- 
munity, and in affording them training in 
Christian service. 

In recent years as a result of the increased Providential 

Cimeliness 

number of students, as a result of specializa- 
tion, and of other causes, many Christian pro- 
fessors have not taken so active a part in pro- 
moting the moral and religious life of students 
as formerly. The Association came into being 
just in time to help meet the need thus oc- 
casioned and has become indispensable in in- 
itiating and directing the voluntary religious 
activities of the students and in enlisting the 
larger cooperation of the professors them- 
selves. Viewing the student field of North 
America as a whole, the words of ex-President 
Patton of Princeton in 1901 are true: "The 
Young Men's Christian Association has well 
nigh the monopoly of the religious culture of 
our universities and colleges." 

The religious forces of the colleges are far Xtnprow- 

Tnent in 

better organized than they were before the As- organization 
sociation Movement was inaugurated. A gen- 

15 



Students of )Vortb HmeHea 

eration ago there were but few Christian so- 
cieties among students and these had but a 
small membership and were restricted in their 
purpose and forms of expression. In one col- 
lege, for example, the only object and work of 
the organization was the holding of prayer 
meetings; in another the conduct of Sunday 
schools in the neighborhood of the college was 
the only work undertaken ; at yet another cen- 
ter the organization was simply a missionary 
society. Instead of the narrow, loosely or- 
ganized, and scattering work which so largely 
characterized the religious societies of our col- 
leges even thirty years ago, we find to-day com- 
prehensive, highly organized, and thoroughly 
efficient Young Men's Christian Associations. 
In those days the purpose of the society seldom 
included work among the students themselves. 
Now in each college the Association recognizes 
as its chief responsibility the cultivation of the 
student field; and its plan of work covers the 
entire range of Christian activity for students 
as well as by the students. 

The enlarged scope in the plan of Associa- 
tion work has made it possible to interest and 
to enlist in its work all classes of students. In 
a larger degree than formerly the cooperation 
of professors has been secured. Forces out- 

i6 



Hcbtevetncnts of the IMovernent 

side the college have been utilized also to fur- 
ther the purposes of the Association. By- 
bringing the student Associations into one or- 
ganization and providing for the interchange 
of ideas the Movement has made the best 
methods of each the common property and 
ideals of all. Through the labors of visiting 
and corresponding secretaries who have be- 
come in a measure experts on the work of stu- 
dent religious societies, through the use of an 
extensive literature dealing with the problems 
of the moral and religious life of students and 
with methods of Christian work, and through 
conferences for the comparative study of stu- 
dent religious problems and for the training 
of student leaders, the organization of the As- 
sociation has been carried to a remarkably high 
degree of efficiency. 

The relisfious work under the leadership of Better 
. . . ^Iatepial 

the Association has assumed such variety and equfpmem 

extent as to make necessary a better material 
equipment. Commodious and attractive build- 
ings, well adapted to their purpose, have been 
erected in many universities and colleges. 
When the Association Movement was or- 
ganized there were no buildings devoted to 
student religious societies ; now there are 
thirty student Association buildings valued at 

17 



Students of JVortb Hmerica 

nearly one million dollars, all but two or three 
of which have been erected within the past 
fifteen years. In many other colleges can- 
vasses to secure similar homes are now in pro- 
gress. Among the most notable of these Asso- 
ciation buildings together with their valuations 
are the following: — 

Murray-Dodge Hall, Princeton University. .$100,000 

Dwight Hall, Yale University 60,000 

Barnes Hall, Cornell University 55,ooo 

Silliman Hall, Hamilton College 25,000 

Stiles Hall, University of California 30,000 

Earl Hall, Columbia University 175,000 

x:be Student The s^rowth of Associations in size and com- 
Secretartes ^ 

plexity of organization as well as in oppor- 
tunity has resulted in the creation of a new of- 
fice or calling, that of the general secretaryship 
of the student Association. Although as re- 
cently as 1886 there were general secretaries 
at Yale and Toronto Universities only, there 
are now^ about sixty men devoting all or the 
larger part of their time to such work. It is 
an interesting fact that at a period when the 
arrangement of having a settled college pastor 
was being abandoned this new plan was 
adopted and has rapidly gained in favor among 
both students and professors. Happily the 

18 



Hcbievcinciits of the IMovonetit 

fears expressed by some lest the employment of 
secretaries might lead students to feel less re- 
sponsibility has proved to be groundless, for 
wherever the secretary has understood the dis- 
tinctive functions of his office the amount of 
voluntary work by the students has increased. 

It is due to the Association Movement more Xncreasin^ 

, , . rill JNTimiber «lon 

than to any other one human force that the col- for cimst 
leges and universities constitute the most 
Christian communities in the United States and 
Canada. Taking the young men of North 
America as a whole not more than one in 
twelve are Christians, whereas in the in- 
stitutions of higher learning about one in 
two of the young men are Christians. Still 
more striking is the fact that the propor- 
tion of students who are Christians is now 
larger than ever before. Two or three gen- 
erations ago even in colleges with Chris- 
tian foundations there were but small groups 
of disciples of Jesus Christ. In 1902 a 
careful census taken in three hundred and 
fifty-six colleges and universities of North 
America showed that of the eighty-three thou- 
sand young men fifty-two per cent, were mem- 
bers of evangelical churches. Twenty-five 
years previous the proportion was less than 
one-third. 

19 



8tudent8 of JVortb Hmerica 

Spiritual ]sjq|. Qjjiy js [^ ^-j.^^ ^[^^^ there are now more 

Hwafeenings -^ 

Christians in the colleges than in the preceding 
generations, but the number of students who 
are being led into the Christian life continues 
to increase. Some of the most fruitful spirit- 
ual awakenings in the history of educational 
institutions have occurred within the past ten 
years under the influence of the Spirit of God 
working through the Associations. These 
have not been confined to the Christian or de- 
nominational colleges. When all the difficul- 
ties are considered the revivals which have 
taken place in Western and Southern state and 
other great undenominational universities seem 
even more noteworthy than those in Christian 
institutions. There are few state universities 
in which each year men are not led out of un- 
belief into an inteUigent and vital faith in 
Christ. The assumption of some that colleges 
cannot be as deeply moved now by the Holy 
Spirit as in times past is not supported by the 
history of the Association Movement. Evangel- 
istic meetings are regarded with more favor 
in the colleges than in the past. A spiritual 
awakening in connection wnth Association 
work is now looked upon as a normal ex- 
perience. The fact that the best Associations 

20 



Hcbtevcmcnts of the Movement 



expect definite evangelistic results each year 
is in itself significant. 

Formerly most of the conversions in the col- 
leges were traceable to the evangelistic efforts 
of college presidents, college pastors, and spe- 
cial evangelists. Now, while the Association 
continues to utilize these agencies, the prin- 
cipal and most potent factor employed in ac- 
complishing these results is work by individual 
students for their fellows. This method which 
in all ages has proved to be so eflfective has 
been widely promoted by the Association 
through the creation and circulation of litera- 
ture bearing on the subject, through organ- 
izing personal workers groups among students 
and also among professors, and through train- 
ing young men to lead their fellow students 
in such evangelistic activity. 

The Association has helped greatly in de- 
veloping a strong and attractive type of Chris- 
tian student life. It is a type characterized by 
reality, virility, open-mindedness, breadth of 
sympathy with men, and loyalty to Christ. 
From the beginning the Association has em- 
phasized the truth that an earnest, active Chris- 
tian life is not incompatible with the best phy- 
sical, social, and intellectual development. In 
fact, it may be asserted that the prominent and 



Hgencies 
Osed 



UttYACtiVC 

Zypcof 

ChristiAti 

tife 



21 



Students of North Hinenca 

scientific attention which the Association 
Movement as a whole has given to body build- 
ing and to the formation of right habits for 
the care of the body has been a distinct con- 
tribution to the physical welfare of college 
men. The Associations have drawn into their 
activities more and more the men most promi- 
nent in athletic life. In recent years the Asso- 
ciation has also done much to promote a bet- 
ter social life among students. And the dis- 
proportionately large share of honors carried 
off by leading Association workers in all parts 
of the field shows clearly that high scholarly 
attainments and genuine religious devotion 
may go hand in hand. 
Sdtdtty Generally speaking, it may be asserted that 

the type of religious Hfe of American students 
is not traditional. They do not hold their 
present beliefs simply because they have in- 
herited them. At the same time, they do at- 
tach weight to the historic facts and statements 
of the Christian faith. They are, as a class, 
loyal to the great verities of evangelical Chris- 
tianity. Their religious belief is based upon a 
personal study of the Christian Scriptures and 
evidences. And not least helpful in establish- 
ing their faith has been the influence of the 

22 



Hcbtevemcnta of the JMovcment 



Hggresstve- 
ness 



presentation and study of the facts of Christian 
missions. 

Their religious Hfe, therefore, may be char- practuaUtT? 
acterized as intellectual and spiritual. It is 
practical as well. The typical Christian stu- 
dent despises cant and h3^pocrisy, and desires, 
above all else, reality in his Christian expe- 
rience. He is not satisfied to limit the Bible to 
the realm of thought and discussion ; he seeks 
to bring it to bear upon his life, — to help him 
in his battle with temptation, to enable him to 
develop strong faith and a symmetrical char- 
acter. 

Moreover, he is not content to keep his re- 
ligion to himself. He recognizes the force of 
Archbishop Whately's words: "If our re- 
ligion is not true, we ought to change it; if 
it is true, we are bound to propagate what we 
believe to be the truth." Therefore he unites 
with his Christian fellow students in an or- 
ganized movement to make Christ known in 
his college, in his native land, and throughout 
the world. While the type described is largely 
an ideal, it means much that the Movement has 
evolved for itself such an ideal and that in 
many cases it is being realized. Without 
doubt it is a type which appeals more and more 
to the strongest men. 

23 



Students of ^fortb Hmerica 

Reaut)^ The service rendered by the Associations 

during the past quarter of a century in build- 
ing up symmetrical character and strong faith 
in the lives of a multitude of students has been 
of incalculable value. This effort rests upon 
the conviction that the religion of Jesus Christ 
alone enables the student to realize his ethical 
ideals. The Association has ever emphasized 
that Christianity is essentially a matter of vital 
relation to Christ and of loyalty to His will. 
Recognizing how^ easy it is to separate re- 
ligious belief from ethical life it has in season 
and out of season emphasized the necessity of 
making practice conform to profession. 
H preventive Jt would be difficult to Overstate the good ac- 

Hgeticy 

complished by the Association in its work of 
prevention, that is, in resisting, overcoming, 
and counteracting the forces and influences 
which tend to undermine or arrest the develop- 
ment of character and faith. It has enabled 
students to meet the materialistic and rational- 
istic tendencies of the age and to fight success- 
fully college temptations and evils. In the 
critical period of student life, when a man's 
faith is so severely tested and when he is not 
infrequently subjected to moral perils, the As- 
sociation has been a great steadying, conserv- 
ing, and stimulating influence. Its method 

24 



Hcbicvcments of the Movement 



has been positive rather than negative. Among 
the practical means employed are the thorough, 
reverent study of the Scriptures ; the public ex- 
position of the meaning, claims, and resources 
of Christianity; Christian fellowship and the 
mutual declaration of experiences and pur- 
poses; participation in Christian service; and 
the formation of proper habits for the cultiva- 
tion of the spiritual life. 

The Association has improved the moral 
condition of the colleges. Attention has been 
called to this again and again by university 
presidents. It has tended to purify the practi- 
cal ethics in the classroom, in athletics, and in 
the social sphere. It has waged warfare 
against the vices and sins of young men. It 
has not only urged students to accept Christ 
as their Pattern and Saviour, but also to live a 
life consistent therewith. By placing the stress 
on the ethical side of Christianity and by re- 
lating men to Jesus Christ as the power 
through whom alone they can attain unto their 
ideals, it has immensely strengthened the moral 
tone of the universities and colleges. 

The fact that the Bible occupies a larger 
place to-day than ever before in the lives of 
American and Canadian students is because 
the Association has for years emphasized Bible 

25 



H purifier 

of Student 

Hife 



Bible Study 
Xnterest 



Students of North Hmertca 

study as its pivotal department — the depart- 
ment on which depends the highest efficiency 
of all of its other activities. Fifteen years 
ago when the Movement began to devote spe- 
cial attention to this department there were 
less than two thousand young men in voluntary 
Bible classes in all the colleges of North 
America. Last year (190 1-2) the number had 
increased to over fifteen thousand. In twenty 
undenominational universities in which several 
years ago there were no Bible classes, there 
are now in each >from fifty to three hundred 
men engaged in such associated Bible study. 
In the Christian colleges also there has been 
a constant increase. 
Cypeof The Association has stood for the devo- 

Btble Study 

tional and scholarly study of the Bible. It has 
furnished a thorough, constructive, satisfying 
mode of studying the great documents of the 
Christian religion. It has encouraged students 
to employ the best historical, literary, and sci- 
entific methods and to carry forward their 
studies in an unprejudiced, fearless, reverent 
spirit. As a Movement the Young Men's 
Christian Association is large enough to in- 
clude men of widely differing points of view 
on questions of Biblical study. Its main con- 
cern has been to help young men to acquire 

26 



HcMcveinciits of the Movcincnt 

correct methods and to form a right habit of 
Bible study and to keep before them the most 
important objects of such study — the develop- 
ment of symmetrical character and vital, intel- 
ligent faith and the promoting of Christ-like 
service. To accomplish these purposes sys- 
tematic and progressive courses of Bible stu- 
dies have been prepared by the Movement. 
Under its leadership cycles of Bible study have 
been provided covering the entire college 
course. In addition to these, courses designed 
for training Christian workers, for preparatory 
students, for other classes of students, or to 
serve other special purposes have been elab- 
orated or are now in preparation. By general 
consent these courses occupy a leading place 
among Bible study text-books. A distinctive 
feature of many of these courses has been 
their arrangement with reference to the forma- 
tion of the habit of daily study. 

The Association has also grappled success- Stbu Classes 
fully with tjie problem of the organization and 
conduct of Bible classes. It has evolved a great 
variety of effective methods for enlisting men 
in associated Bible study. It has greatly im- 
proved the leadership of the classes. While 
the cooperation of hundreds of college pro- 
fessors has been secured in this work, special 

27 



Students of North Hmertca 

stress has been placed on utilizing and de- 
veloping student leaders. To this end a sys- 
tem of normal classes for training student 
leaders has been established at the student 
summer conferences, as a result of which 
nearly one thousand young men each year re- 
ceive special preparation for the work of lead- 
ing Bible classes. 
Bibu Study The Movement has a Bible study secretary 

Secretary ^ ^ "^ -^ 

at its headquarters in New York who, in con- 
nection with his varied work of supervising 
the development of the Bible study depart- 
ment, carries on an extensive correspondence 
with all Bible class teachers who desire his 
assistance. The work of this Bible study 
specialist in studying the problems of Bible 
study in institutions of higher learning, in su- 
perintending the preparation of courses, in 
enlisting the cooperation of professors and 
others who are best able to train leaders of 
classes, in organizing and unifying the Bible 
study activities of the entire Movement, is of 
far-reaching importance. The Bible study 
work of the Associations has been one of the 
principal, if not the chief cause, leading to the 
introduction of biblical studies in the curri- 
culum of a number of the colleges, and has 
given the initial impulse to not a few men 

28 



Hcbicveineiits of the IMowmcnt 

who to-day as professors in colleges and the- 
ological seminaries or as clergymen are de- 
voting themselves so largely to the advance- 
ment of biblical research and teaching. 

The Associations are training^ schools. The ^i-aintng 

. . Schools for 

conception of these organizations as societies the Church 
for meeting the religious needs and for guid- 
ing the Christian activities of students during 
the three or four years of their college life is 
inadequate. They must rather be regarded as 
schools which, in the process of cultivating 
the moral and religious life of the college and 
community, are training young men in methods 
of Christian helpfulness which they will use 
during the forty years or more which follow 
their student days. The Association takes 
young men at an age and in an occupation 
when the Church is most apt to lose them, and 
sends them back a few years later to do more 
systematic and aggressive work than ever. It 
develops their power of initiative, calls forth 
their executive ability, and familiarizes them 
with the most approved methods of individual 
and associated Christian work. It helps them 
to form right habits of prayer, Bible study, 
religious meditation, and Christian steward- 
ship. It thus affords them a kind of training not 
supplied by the college curriculum or, to any 

29 



Students of North Hmcrica 

such degree, by other religious influences or 
student organizations. Thus for a generation 
the Movement has been training college men 
to give freely of their time, energy, thought, 
and money to Christ's work. 
Htdstti jj^ none of its activities has the Association 

Determining 

i;<fe morh Movement exerted a farther reaching influence 
than in that of helping students to determine 
the form and field of their life work. It seeks 
to bring every Christian student face to face 
with the supreme question as to where he can 
place his life so as to be of most service to God 
and to his generation. The life work meet- 
ings at the summer conferences, special ad- 
dresses given each year in many of the Asso- 
ciations, the circulation of Hterature bearing 
on the opportunities for life service, Bible and 
mission study classes, participation in religious 
and philanthropic work, and individual work 
done with students by traveling secretaries are 
among the practical means employed by the 
Movement in realizing this purpose. The 
great majority of its members, numbering tens 
of thousands, have entered various lay pursiiits 
and are to-day working as Christian lawyers, 
doctors, teachers, editors, statesmen, engineers, 
and business men. Thus a vast lay force has 
been developed for the Church. They consti- 

30 



Hcbtevcincnts of the JMopctncnt 



tute the laymen leaders of laymen in this age 
of laymen. 

An increasing number of men are entering 
the secretaryship of the Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association, city missions, and other forms 
of domestic mission work. But even more im- 
portant than these contributions has been that 
made to the Christian ministry. A professor 
in one of the Western theological seminaries 
who had investigated the causes influencing 
young men to enter the ministry assigned as 
the principal cause the Young Men's Christian 
Association. It is estimated that in the path- 
way of the work of the Association and as a re- 
sult of its influence nearly if not quite six 
thousand young men have during the last 
twenty-five years devoted themselves to this 
calling. They are scattered through not less 
than forty different Protestant communions. 

The Associations have developed among 
students a growing concern for the moral, so- 
cial, and religious welfare of the home field. 
The first Associations organized had as one 
of the main features of their work the spread- 
ing of the teachings and spirit of Christ among 
the neglected parts of the college communities 
or surrounding country. More and more they 
have interested themselves in the religious 

31 



Sntering 
ChHstid.Ti 
CalUtigs 



Grappling 
with Rome 
problems 



Students of JHortb Hmertca 

problems of the great cities and of the rural 
districts. Their members are studying and dis- 
cussing these questions more than in former 
days and are seeking to bring their own lives 
to bear upon the solution of the problems. 
There are to-day few Associations which are 
not engaged in one or more forms of religious 
or philanthropic work within the sphere of 
their influence. Some of the smaller and less 
fully equipped societies have accomplished a 
work as thorough and as valuable as the larger 
and stronger organizations. These helpful ac- 
tivities have not been restricted to the student 
year, but in the case of a number of Associa- 
tions they have been carried on during the va- 
cations. This kind of work has been most 
valuable to the Church in hundreds of com- 
munities. It has reacted most advantageously 
on the ^Association work among the students 
themselves. It has afforded a valuable training 
ground and has without doubt influenced a 
large number of men to continue on graduation 
in aggressive religious work. 

mipfuiness The student Associations owe much to their 
to General . ^^,. . • i i i at- 

Hssodations organic affiliation with the general Young 
Men's Christian Associations. On the other 
hand the general movement has received a 
great deal from the student section. Large 

32 



Hcbtevenients of the Movement 



and constantly increasing numbers of the mem- 
bers of boards of directors and state and pro- 
vincial committees are being interested in work 
for young men and trained by the student Asso- 
ciations. The same is true of those who have 
entered the secretaryship. Already over ten 
per cent, of the secretaries in the general work 
are men who were formerly in the college As- 
sociations. This is a great advance over ten 
years ago. The proportion of international 
and state secretaries w^ho are college men is 
far greater. The fact that the vast majority of 
men who have entered the ministry or become 
editors of religious periodicals during recent 
years are old college Association men has done 
more to secure for the Association Movement 
the sympathy and backing of the leaders of the 
churches than any other one cause. 

For a time there was danger that men, who 
on graduating from the colleges were interested 
in the Association Movement, might during 
the three years of their theological course lose 
their active sympathy. But the affiliation of 
the Inter-Seminary Missionary Alliance in 
1898, as a result of which there are now Young 
Men's Christian Associations in nearly all of 
the important theological seminaries, ensures 
the intelligent and hearty support of the future: 

33 



Xnfluemc 

ufson the 

■future 



Students of North HincHca 

ministry. Moreover, the college Associations 
have obtained for the Movement as a whole the 
prestige and the practical help in counsel and 
in supervision of the influential body of edu- 
cators. Time only can show what a mighty 
tower of strength this is destined to prove in 
this internal development period of the life of 
the general Movement. That the student As- 
sociations have contributed valuable ideals and 
methods to the general Association work is 
well illustrated by the developments in the Bi- 
ble study department. It is an interesting fact 
also that the pamphlet and book literature of 
the Association Movement in recent years has 
been provided so largely by former college As- 
sociation men. 
Hssodation Qne of the larsi^est contributions made by the 
oiorfe student department to the Association Move- 
ment has been in the realm of the foreign 
work. The work of the Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association, both general and student, in 
everv one of the ten mission lands thus far en- 
tered and manned by secretaries was planted 
and is to-day being led and developed by col- 
lege Association men. The extent and value 
of this service is recognized from this single 
fact, that the foreign Association work is con- 
cerned, in purpose at least, with the moral and 

34 



l.\U 



Hcbicvcmcnts of the Movement 

religious welfare of two-thirds of the young 

men of the human race. 

What has been the contribution of the stu- Comribit- 

ttonto 

dent Associations to the life of the nations of fiationai 
the United States and Canada? If it be true 
that, as go the universities so go the nations, 
a service of the greatest possible value has 
been rendered in making the universities and 
colleges strongholds and propagating centers 
of pure Christianity. In the achievements 
which have already been recounted the Asso- 
ciations have served the nation in a very real 
way. Whatever they have done, especially 
among young men who are to become leaders, 
to build character, to promote righteous living, 
to hold up noble ideals and high ethical stand- 
ards, to stimulate to unselfish, heroic service, 
has added to the power of the nation. But in 
more specific ways this Movement has con- 
tributed to the national welfare. In the midst 
of marked class tendencies it has maintained in 
each university a strong, democratic institution. 
The highest ideals of Christian citizenship 
have been presented on its platforms, both in 
the person and in the messages of speakers 
whom it has brought before the students. It 
has proclaimed the doctrine that the results of 
education are not for personal betterment only, 

35 



Students of JNTortb Hmertca 

but are to manifest their power and value in 
larger, more intelligent, and more generous 
public service. The thorough-going study of 
the Bible which it promotes, especially the 
study of the example and teachings of Jesus 
Christ and also of God's dealings with the Jew- 
ish nation, must have exerted a great influence 
in the direction of good citizenship and states- 
manship. The close relation which the Asso- 
ciations have sustained to movements for social 
betterment, not simply in the realm of study 
and discussion, but especially through the ac- 
tive cooperation of its members and graduates, 
has not been without its political value. The 
xA^ssociation Movement is firmly intrenched in 
nearly all of the leading normal schools. From 
these institutions each year have gone hun- 
dreds of men to help mold the public school 
system. It has meant much for the best life of 
the nation that such men have been so largely 
impressed by these Christian organizations. As 
the Association is a young Movement the men 
whom it has most influenced are only beginning 
to be heard in the higher councils of the na- 
tion; nevertheless among the younger men in 
responsible positions in municipal, state, and 
national political life there are many in whose 
preparation for the service of the state the As- 

36 



Hcbtevcmeiits of the Movciticnt 

sociation was a prominent factor. By means 
of the World's Student Christian Federation 
the members of the American and Canadian 
Student Young Men's Christian Association 
have been brought into fellowship with the 
Christian students of all other lands. That this 
is destined to promote better international re- 
lations there can be no question. 

Not least among the results of the Student i^eipfwiness 

7 . . to Students 

Young Men's Christian Association Movement of europe 
of North America has been the influence it has 
exerted on the organization and work of other 
students in different parts of the world. The 
corresponding work among the college women 
of the United States and Canada is directly 
traceable to that among the young men. The 
leaders of the student movements of other 
lands have repeatedly borne testimony to the 
prominent and indispensable part which the 
North American Movement has had in this or- 
ganization and development. For years be- 
fore there was any national student organiza- 
tion in Europe the American Movement was 
helping to pave the way for such a work. 
Four of its representatives spent periods of 
time ranging from a few months to three years 
studying the field, helping to inaugurate na- 
tional student conferences, and to stimulate lo- 

37 



Students of J^ortb Hmcrica 

cal, national, and international organization. 
Delegations representing different European 
universities were invited to Northfield to study 
the organized Christian work of North Ameri- 
can universities. In the organization of at 
least five of the seven student Christian move- 
ments of Europe the North American Move- 
ment was one of the important factors. 
Students of fh^ flj-gt Student Christian Associations in 

Other Hands 

Japan, China, India, Ceylon, and the Levant 
were organized by former members of Ameri- 
can college Associations. Their active co- 
operation also helped to effect the national or- 
ganizations in all these lands as well as in 
Australasia and South Africa. Some time be- 
fore the World's Student Christian Federation 
was formed, in one of the official reports of 
the North American Movement the question 
was asked : "Has not the time come for us to 
work and pray with confidence for the federa- 
tion of all Christian student organizations 
throughout the world? Who can measure the 
power of such a comprehensive student move- 
ment, if permeated with the Spirit of Christ 
and true to His purposes in the world ?" Later 
in that year (1895) the Federation was formed 
as a result of the joint action of the North 
American, British, German, Scandinavian, and 

38 



HcbtcwTnctits of the IMovement 

Mission Lands movements. It has grown un- 
til now it links together all the national and in- 
ternational Christian student movements of the 
world embracing over one thousand five hun- 
dred separate Associations or Unions with a 
total membership of over eighty thousand stu- 
dents and professors. 

A few years ago the Archbishop of Canter- 
bury said that nothing inspired him with more 
hope than the recent uprising of university 
students for the evangelization of the world. 
From the very beginning of their intercol- 
legiate organization the Associations have 
urged the claims of the unenlightened nations 
upon the students who constituted the most en- 
lightened class in the Christian countries. As 
far back as twenty years ago the missionary 
department was the most highly developed in 
the Association. When the Student Volunteer 
Movement for Foreign Missions came into be- 
ing in 1886 it gave a tremendous impetus to 
this part of the work. Although the Volunteer 
Movement at the beginning was independent, 
when it assumed an organized form in 1888 
it was found desirable to relate it organically 
to the Student Young Men's Christian Asso- 
ciation Movement so that, so far as young men 
are concerned, the Volunteer Movement and 

39 



Tolimteer 
f/lovctnent 



Students of North Hmerica 

its activities constitute the most prominent and 
important factor in the foreign missionary de- 
partment of the work of the Associations, 
The advantages of this arrangement are mu- 
tual and obvious. The missionary movement, 
kept within the Associations, has done a great 
deal to broaden and to vitalize them and to call 
out their best energies. On the other hand 
much of the good accomplished by the Volun- 
teer Movement would have been impossible 
apart from the Associations. It should not be 
forgotten that the Associations supplied the 
conditions without which there would have 
been no Volunteer Movement. Moreover they 
furnished it a common ground from which its 
appeal could reach all students. They placed 
at its disposal an organization and forces which 
greatly facilitate the accomplishment of its pur- 
poses. 
Results of What have been some of the results of the 

j|>Iissioiiary 

Hctivity foreign missionary activities of the Association 
and Volunteer Movement thus closely re- 
lated? For half a generation Christian stu- 
dents have been instructed more fully than in 
any previous period concerning the world-wide 
nature of the Kingdom of God, — its progress, 
condition, needs, opportunities, problems, re- 
sources, and claims. Regular missionary meet- 

40 



Hcbtcwments of the JMowment 

ings have been held in nearly all institutions. 
An extensive missionary literature has been 
prepared with special reference to students, 
and has been widely circulated. Collections 
of missionary books have been placed in hun- 
dreds of institutions. For years students have 
been the largest purchasers of missionary 
books. The colleges have led in the scientific 
study of Christian missions. Under the leader- 
ship of the Volunteer Movement with its edu- 
cational secretary many progressive courses of 
mission study have been prepared and intro- 
duced. When this feature of the work was 
undertaken about ten years ago there were not 
more than a score of classes for the thorough 
study of missions in all the colleges and theo- 
logical seminaries of North America; during 
the past year (1901) there have been over 
three hundred classes with an enrollment of 
nearly five thousand students. Over half the 
members of these classes were not volunteers 
for foreign missions. This means much for 
the future leadership of the missionary forces 
at home. 

For many years the colleges and seminaries N^^onary 
have given annually from $30,000 to $40,000 
to foreign missions. The principal benefit re- 
sulting from this financial cooperation has been 

41 



8tudeiitd of JNTortb Hmerica 

that of helping students to form the habit of 
systematic and proportionate giving. It also 
sends them out into the churches with the ob- 
ject lesson of their own colleges supporting 
missionaries which makes it more probable that 
later they will lead their churches to do like- 
wise. 
fumfebes An important achievement of the Move- 

Totunteers 

for the field ment has been that of leading the students of 
our day to regard the evangelization of the 
world as one of their chief responsibilities. 
Thousands of students have been induced to 
offer themselves as volunteers for foreign mis- 
sions. Within the past sixteen years fully two 
thousand, of whom two-thirds were men, have 
been sent out to the mission fields by the regu- 
lar missionary societies of the Church. Nearly 
one hundred per cent, more volunteers have 
sailed during the last eight years than during 
the preceding eight years. The work of the 
Movement has also enabled the mission boards 
to raise their standard of qualifications partly 
as a result of increasing the number of candi- 
dates and partly as a result of the valuable pre- 
paration afforded by the Associations. A re- 
cruiting agency has thus been afforded the 
Church the like of which she, had never known. 
In addition to raising up thousands of capable 

42 



Hcbicveinetits of the IMovctncnt 

candidates for foreign service the Associations 
are placing on tens of thousands of Christian 
students who are to work at home as pastors 
and as laymen an equal burden of responsi- 
bility to back up and promote the foreign mis- 
sionary enterprise by their advocacy, by their 
gifts, and by their prayers. These men who 
have gone out with enthusiasm and intelligent 
conviction are already making themselves felt 
throughout the home churches. They are lead- 
ing in developing the m.issionary life and work 
among the millions of members of the young 
people's movements of the Church. 

One of the principal contributions of the ^^ 

^ ^ fOatehword 

Movement to the Church has been the em- 
phasis of its watchword, "The evangelization 
of the world in this generation.'' This has 
exerted a great unifying influence among the 
volunteers and other Christian students. It 
has arrested the attention and stimulated the 
thought of a multitude of Christians on the 
subject of world-wide missions. It has pre- 
sented a powerful appeal to some men to be- 
come missionaries and to others to make their 
lives tell in Christian lands for the world's 
evangelization. It has placed a much needed 
emphasis on the urgency or immediacy of our 
missionary obligation. The quadrennial con- 

43 



Studcntd of I^ortb Hmertca 

ventions of the Volunteer Movement are recog- 
nized as the largest, most representative, and 
most powerful missionary gatherings held in 
the world and have deeply stirred all branches 
of the Church. 
H anffjnng j^ most significant result of the Association 
Movement among students has been the unify- 
ing influence which it has exerted. Un- 
doubtedly it has tended to draw together the 
students in each college who otherwise would 
be divided along the various lines of cleavage 
which exist to a greater or less degree in every 
institution. Reference has already been made 
to the value of this in promoting a more demo- 
cratic spirit among students. It also makes 
possible the bringing to bear of a stronger in- 
fluence on the moral problems of the college. 
The Association has unified the religious inter- 
ests in each institution and thus presented a 
common front to the forces of evil. The Move- 
ment has done more to develop the intercol- 
legiate consciousness and the intercollegiate 
spirit and to bring the colleges together in help- 
ful relations than any other agency. It has 
bound together the student Christian organiza- 
tions of all North America and has related 
them closely to similar societies oi students all 
over the world. Gladstone, in his lecture on 

44 



Hcbicvemciits of the JMoveinetit 

"The Work of Universities," speaks thus of 
the influence of the universities of the Middle 
Ages : "They estabhshed, so to speak, a tele- 
graph for the mind ; and all the elements of in- 
tellectual culture, scattered throughout Europe, 
were brought by them into near communion. 
They established a brotherhood of the under- 
standing." So this Movement has established 
a telegraph in things spiritual, and the different 
ideas and methods wrought out in the ex- 
perience of groups of Christian students in 
each country have been made known to the 
Christian societies of students in all other 
lands. This interchange of ideas and enlarged 
knowledge has increased the working efficiency 
of every Association, as well as enriched its 
sympathies and augmented its missionary 
spirit. 

The world-wide student movement has re- «torid-aitde 
vealed to the Christian students of all nations, 
races, and climes with greater fullness and at- 
tractiveness than ever their oneness in Jesus 
Christ. It has emphasized that high over all 
the peculiarities and differences that would di- 
vide us stands our common faith, and, above 
all, our common Lord. The Association Move- 
ment, as no other agency, is uniting in purpose, 
in spirit, and in practical effort the various 

45 



Students of North Htnerica 

branches of the Church of Qirist. In its ranks 
in the colleges and theological seminaries are 
the leaders, both clerical and lay, of the 
Church of to-morrow. They are working to- 
gether in harmony and sympathy and with 
power on the basis of agreement in the essen- 
tials of Christianity. So they will continue to 
do as they leave college walls. This already 
presents the most telling object lesson in Chris- 
tian unity that the world affords. Never after 
the years of Christian fellowship and asso- 
ciated effort within the colleges will these men 
cease to demonstrate to the world that "there is 
one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were 
called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, 
one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of 
all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.'* 



46 



Ill 



POSSIBILITIES OF THE MOVEMENT 

There is room for a large expansion of the «««euirfed 
Association Movement in the field of the unor- 
ganized institutions of higher learning in the 
United States and Canada. Among the insti- 
tutions which do not yet have Associations are 
132 colleges and universities. A large section 
of these are German and Scandinavian Luth- 
eran colleges of which several are non-English- 
speaking. In view of the influential relation 
which these educational centers sustain to the 
cosmopolitan life of America, persevering ef- 
forts should be made to affiliate them. There 
are still over 140 medical, dental, pharmaceuti- 
cal, and veterinary schools or colleges and 
about fifty law schools which have not been or- 
ganized. These professional schools are nearly 
all located in large cities. Professional stu- 
dents are the most neglected and the most se- 
verely tempted class of students on the North 
American continent. Moreover, they are to 
wield an immense influence for good or for 
evil in the various communities in which their 
professional career is spent. They are in the 
final stage of their student life. The probabili- 

47 



Students of JVortb HmcHca 

ties are very great that they will never be 
brought into vital relation to Christ and trained 
for His service, unless it be during their stu- 
dent days. How important it is, therefore, 
that Associations be established in every one 
of these institutions. The advantages which 
have attended the affiliation of theological 
seminaries emphasize the desirability of identi- 
fying with the Movement the forty-five insti- 
tutions of this kind which do not yet have As- 
sociations. There are several technological 
schools which should be drawn into the Move- 
ment. The 174 normal schools still without 
Associations constitute a field of great promise 
and of critical importance. The possibilities 
of these institutions, which so largely furnish 
the teachers of North America, are indeed very 
great if wisely cultivated by the Movements 
There are thus between 560 and 600 colleges 
and professional schools, having in them fully 
60,000 students, into which the work of the 
Young Men's Christian Association has not 
been introduced. 
Secondary Althoug^h the Movement has for several 

Schools . . , , 

years given attention to preparatory and other 
secondary schools resulting in a fruitful work, 
not more than the fringe of this field has thus 
far been touched. There are in the United States 

48 



p099tbtUtte9 of the Movement 

alone 1,897 private high schools with an enroll- 
ment of 47,1 18 boys. Of these 226 have fifty or 
more boys each and a total enrollment of 
20,134. Moreover, there are also in the United 
States 6,005 public high schools with an en- 
rollment of 216,207 boys. If we combine these 
two kinds of secondary schools and also in- 
clude similar institutions in Canada we have a 
field embracing over 8,000 schools having in 
them fully 275,000 boys. The good already 
accomplished in the academies and high schools 
of North America, as well as the results which 
have attended the efforts put forth by the stu- 
dent movements of Great Britain, Australasia, 
and of various countries on the Continent of 
Europe, afford ground for the belief that the 
special prosecution of this work by our own 
Movement will exert an influence of immediate 
value and of far-reaching significance. The 
boys in the secondary schools are at the critical 
age when they are most susceptible both to 
good and to bad impressions. These schools 
are the keys to the colleges and universities. 
What can be more vital to the cause of Christ 
among students than wisely bringing to bear 
upon these hundreds of thousands of school- 
boys the influence of the Association Move- 
ment? 

49 



Students of North Hmmca 

^ *!!!^ Notwithstanding the opportunities and need 

Pfeeded for expansion there is even greater need of a 
more thorough supervision of the Associations 
already existing. The force of international, 
state, provincial, and metropolitan secretaries 
is insufficient to give adequate attention to all 
the Associations. The growth of the super- 
visory agencies has not kept pace with the 
extension of the Movement and with the in- 
crease in the number of students in the fields 
already entered. The fact that the student 
population changes on an average once every 
three years, together with the fact that the offi- 
cers of the student Associations are as a rule 
changed each year, renders vigilant and con- 
stant supervision more necessary possibly than 
in case of any other religious organization. 
The enlargement of state, provincial, and 
metropolitan supervisory agencies, the estab- 
lishing of still closer relations between these 
agencies and the International Committee, the 
wider adoption and higher development of the 
plan of the local general secretaryship, the mul- 
tiplying and increasing the efficiency of con- 
ferences for the training of voluntary workers, 
are the chief factors in the solution of the 
problem. 

50 



p089iMUttc9 of the Mowment 

In the institutions in which Associations wider 
have been organized there are about 100,000 
students who have not identified themselves 
with the Movement. Probably one-third of 
this number are professing Christian men. 
Many of these would become efficient workers 
if they were led to join the Association with an 
intelligent appreciation of the claims and pos- 
sibilities of organized work among their fellow 
students. Resolute efforts should be put forth 
to reach them, not for the sake of increasing 
the number of members as an end in itself, but 
because of what the Association can do for 
them and the greater good they will enable the 
Association to accomplish. In some colleges a 
real difficulty presents itself in the fact that 
the Association includes in its membership only 
students of a certain class or set. The very 
genius and purpose of a Christian Association, 
like that of its Lord, should be to unite all real 
disciples of Jesus Christ without reference to 
their denominational affiliations, wealth, fra- 
ternity connections, athletic reputation, intel- 
lectual standing, or life plans. These are prob- 
lems in connection with the moral and religious 
life of nearly every institution which cannot 
be solved unless all right thinking Christian 
men sink their minor differences and unite for 

51 



Students of JNfortb Hmenca 

this definite purpose. Students who have not 
yet become members of the Church, but who 
are in sympathy with the aims and spirit of the 
Association, should be led to identify them- 
selves with it. Whatever their religious affilia- 
tions, men should be given to understand what 
it means to become a member of such a Move- 
ment. Otherwise an increase in membership 
may not prove to be wholly beneficial. 
i;^t^efCo- The professors and instructors in the col- 

operatton of 

professors leges should be enlisted more largely in the 
work of the Movement. The establishment of 
right relation between college faculties and 
students in promoting the religious life of our 
institutions of higher learning is a problem 
calling for more consideration and discussion 
than it has hitherto received. While the dis- 
tinguishing service rendered by the Movement 
has been that of placing the burden of responsi- 
bility upon the students themselves for the 
promotion of the best moral and religious life 
of the college, it should not be forgotten that 
no amount of undergraduate activity can take 
the place of the larger experience and outlook 
of the Christian teachers. They are fitted by 
virtue of their position, age, and character to 
sustain a vital relation to the Associations. 
The sj>ecial conferences of Christian professors 

52 



p099tbtKttc9 of the JMowment 



held under the auspices of various state com- 
mittees to discuss the question as to how mem- 
bers of the faculty can strengthen and advance 
the Association work, the increased attendance 
of professors at the student conferences, and 
the organization of professors into groups to 
promote the purposes of the Association among 
their colleagues, as well as among the students, 
are steps in the right direction. 

There is need of carrying on a deeper, more 
scientific study of the field and work of the 
Associations. On every hand there are prob- 
lems which will yield only to thorough investi- 
gation and earnest thought. The first twenty- 
five years of the life of the Movement have 
been characterized largely by the work of or- 
ganization and extension. The next twenty- 
five years should witness a great deepening of 
its life and a marked augmentation of its in- 
fluence as a religious force in the colleges of 
North America. 

The material side of the Associations must 
not be overlooked. To carry on a comprehen- 
sive and eflfective work adequate material 
equipment is required. Association buildings 
are needed in hundreds of colleges and univer- 
sities instead of in less than two scores of them. 
In places where the extent of the activities of 

53 



Scientific 
Study of 
problems 



Xmprovcd 
equipment 



Students of )Voi*tb HmcHca 

the Association does not demand the use of an 
entire building, properly adapted and well 
furnished rooms should be set apart for this 
purpose. The financial resources of the Move^ 
ment should be cultivated and utilized morq 
largely. Money is stored-up power. God uses 
it in accomplishing His purposes. In many 
places the work is very restricted in compari- 
son with what it might be if more use were 
made of this means. In many of the large 
universities the time has come to secure a par- 
tial endowment of the work. 
Warfai^ Probably no Association is doing: as much as 

Hgainst Col- "^ ^ 

lege evils it should to fight and to counteract the evil 
forces and influences which are injuring the 
lives of students. The fact should not be lost 
sight of that such evils as impurity, intemper- 
ance, gambling, selfishness, pride, hypocrisy^ 
and materialism are working in many centers 
of learning with earnestness and with deadly 
eflPect. 
ffeedof Incomparably the most important work be- 

evatigelistic ^ , \ , , ,,,,,, 

oiorft tore the Associations is that of leading stu- 
dents to become intelligent and loyal disciples 
of Jesus Christ. Even those members who 
have done the most in this respect should have 
a keen sense of dissatisfaction as they reflect on 
how comparatively little has been accomplished. 

54 



p089tbtUtte9 of the IMovcinciit 

At the same time the mighty work wrought by 
the Spirit of God in the conversion of students 
in different parts of the United States and 
Canada, not to mention other lands, should in- 
crease the faith of the members of every As- 
sociation and intensify their purpose and zeal 
to be used in achieving similar results. If the 
Holy Spirit will work through bands of ear- 
nest Christian students in the most difficult 
fields of North America, and move mightily 
entire student communities even in the Orient, 
He may be depended upon to manifest like 
power in other Associations which comply 
with the conditions of His working. 

The Movement should plan, pray, and work '^^'^ 
for spiritual awakenings in hundreds instead of 
scores of universities, colleges, and schools. 
To this end prominence should be given to the 
consideration of this vital question at all stu- 
dent conferences and in the councils of the As- 
sociations and of the committees having super- 
vision of the Associations. Evangelistic 
agencies must be multiplied. Efforts should be 
made to discover and to enlist the cooperation 
in evangelistic work among students of more 
professors and pastors who are qualified to 
command the intellectual and spiritual confi- 
dence of these men. More secretaries must be 
^LffC. 55 



Students of IVovtb Hmerica 

trained and enabled to give special time to such 
work. It is a serious fact that at the present 
time several times more calls to conduct evan- 
gelistic meetings in colleges have to be declined 
by men who are invited to render such service 
than they are able to accept. This situation is 
unprecedented in the religious history of our 
colleges. Bible classes should be utilized more 
largely as an evangelistic agency, as has been 
done so effectively by the Associations in Japan 
and India. Personal workers bands both 
among students and professors should be mul- 
tiplied. Literature calculated to create among 
students a sense of responsibility to lead their 
fellow students to Christ should be widely cir- 
culated. Any means which tends to increase 
the number of students who employ the method 
of individual work with individual students 
ought to be utilized. 

XiKrcase of While gratifying progress has been made in 
Stble Study 

the Bible study department of the Associations, 
the Movement, comparatively speaking, has 
made but little more than a beginning in this 
part of its work. Less than one-half of the 
Association members and less than one-fourth 
of the Christian men in the institutions where 
there are iVssociations are engaged in volun- 
tary, associated Bible study. This number 

56 



po99tbtltttc9 of the Movement 

could be doubled within two vears if the va- 
rious supervisory agencies were enlarged so 
that they could carry on a more aggressive 
propaganda. The experience of Oriental stu- 
dent Christian movements shows that thou- 
sands of non-Christian students might also be 
drawn into Bible classes if wise, concerted ef- 
forts were put forth by the Associations to ac- 
complish this purpose. 

More of the Associations should be led to Methods to 

8nipbasi2« 

adopt the cycles of progressive Bible studies 
prepared by the Movement. Further courses 
of study to meet the needs of various classes 
of students and to provide opportunities for ad- 
vanced work must be prepared. In the last 
analysis the largest development of the Bible 
study work depends upon the leadership of 
the classes. Continued attention should be 
given, therefore, to discovering, enlisting, and 
training leaders for the Bible classes from 
among both students and professors. While 
every effort is put forth to increase greatly the 
number of men studying the Bible in classes, 
principal and constant stress must be placed 
on using those methods and agencies which 
promote the formation of the habit of personal, 
thorough, and reverent study of the Word of 
God. 

57 



Students of JVortb Hmmca 

Hwahcti 'pj^g Association Movement should be am- 

dense of 

ccinc Re- bitious to become a larger factor in helping to 
solve the social, moral, and religious problems 
of the United States and Canada. The mem- 
bers of the Associations should be influenced 
to recognize and to accept their responsibility 
to carry out in action the principles and spirit 
of Christ within the sphere of their influence 
in professional life, in politics, in commerce, 
in industrial life, or in whatever be their chosen 
calling. The Movement can never measure up 
to its possibilities unless it has this larger con- 
ception of its responsibility. In Association 
conventions and periodicals more should be 
said on this subject. It may be that the time 
has come for an organized propaganda of this 
kind of work similar to what has been done 
for foreign missions by the Volunteer Move- 
ment. And just as there are classes in hun- 
dreds of the Associations for the study of prob- 
lems before the Church in non-Christian 
nations, there should be classes for the 
discussion of social and other problems which 
concern the life of the United States and 
Canada. Christian students should devote 
special attention to the thorough study of 
the moral and religious life of the young 
men and boys in the cities and in the rural 

58 



p099tbtUtte9 of the Movetncnt 

districts. The Association should participate 
more largely in social, philanthropic effort for 
the betterment of the communities surrounding 
the universities. What a mighty force for 
righteousness the 40,000 and more members of 
the Movement might be within the range of 
their influence, even while they are students. 
And on graduation, as they enter upon differ- 
ent influential walks of life, either as laymen 
or clergymen, they ought as educated men and 
leaders to become the largest single human in- 
fluence for the upbuilding of the kingdom of 
God on this continent. 

A sufficient number of students of real More Men 

for the 

ability are not devoting themselves to the work Ministry 
of the Christian ministry. It seems to become 
increasingly difficult to draw men into that . 
calling. This is a serious problem, for the 
Church cannot accomplish her work in the 
world without thoroughly competent leaders. 
It is a problem which should concern the Asso- 
ciation Movement, because it is in a position to 
do more than any other agency to turn the 
minds and hearts of men in this direction, and 
because one of its avowed objects is to serve 
the Church. In the interest of the work of 
Christ in North America and in the interest of 
the foreign missionary enterprise which is de- 

59 



Students of jVortb Hmenca 

pendent on an adequate home base, the Asso- 
ciations should see that the claims of the min- 
istry are pressed upon the strongest Christian 
men in the universities. Influential pastors, 
who are qualified to present the subject in a 
way calculated to appeal to students, should 
be induced to give addresses on the ministry 
in the colleges and to have interviews with stu- 
dents who are impressed by their message. 
Pamphlets setting forth efifectively the need 
of more men for the ministry should be pre- 
pared and widely circulated among students 
of ability and devotion. The prayers of the 
Church must be enlisted to the end that the 
Spirit of God may thrust forth men into this 
calling. 
Btudyof The number of students eneaered in the 

Ulorld field 

study of the field and work of the Church in 
heathen lands should be greatly increased. 
While the progress already made has been no- 
table, yet when we compare the 5,000 members 
of mission study classes with the scores of 
thousands of Christian students in the colleges 
or even with the 6,000 theological students of 
North America, we recognize how much re- 
mains to be done. Every reason which has 
influenced those who have already entered 
these classes, applies with like force to those 

60 



p089tbiUtte9 of the Movetncnt 

who have not. It is of fundamental importance 
that at this stage of the missionary enterprise 
those who are going out from the colleges to 
guide the opinion and activity of the Church at 
home and abroad, whether as clergymen or 
laymen, should be intelligent concerning the 
achievements and outlook of the Kingdom of 
Christ throughout the whole world. Progress 
in this direction should embrace the enlistment 
of larger numbers in study classes, more 
scholarly work by the members of classes, the 
cooperation of more professors and advanced 
students as teachers, and the preparation of 
additional text-books of high grade. We have 
a right also to expect that, under the influence 
of the Volunteer Movement, some students and 
professors will be led to become foreign mis- 
sion specialists or experts — thinkers, writers, 
and authorities on foreign missionary problems. 

Even greater than the need for leaders in the ?*^^7? 
Church in North America is the need for more Conquest 
foreign missionaries. The non-Christian world 
imperatively demands more men. They are 
needed to fill gaps in the missionary ranks. 
They are needed to respond to the burning 
appeals which are coming from the missionary 
societies, and from fields already partially 
manned. They are needed to press into vast 

6i 



Students of JVortb Hitierica 

regions where Christ has not been named. 
They are needed to evangeHze the present gen- 
eration which cannot be evangelized unless 
it be done in the present generation. Noth- 
ing short of the going forth oi a great host 
of the choicest spirits of the colleges of the 
United States and Canada will ensure the 
highest vitality of the Church in these two 
great nations. The dictates of patriotism 
as well as of religion should, therefore, 
greatly strengthen the purpose of the Asso- 
ciation Movement in its efforts to raise up 
an army of volunteers who will go forth at 
the call of the Church to meet the deep need 
and to improve the inspiring opportunity pre- 
sented to this generation in the non-Christian 
world. 



62 



3 



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